| A lot of individuals today often turn to alternative or | | | | treatment method should first discuss this with their |
| complementary remedies and treatments whenever | | | | doctor, before commencing on any kind of herbal |
| they feel sick, or have a chronic illness. Most | | | | treatment program. Here are some herbs and natural |
| traditional, natural and alternative medications and | | | | ingredients that have been studied to alleviate the |
| mixtures are different from the standard medical | | | | conditions of asthma |
| treatments individuals generally get at the doctors' | | | | - Vitamins and Oriental Herbs. It is widely believed |
| offices. | | | | that some Chinese herbs, like ding-chan tang, can |
| Among the natural and herbal remedies include herbs, | | | | decrease inflammation and relieve bronchospasm. Lab |
| dietary supplements, acupuncture, biofeedback, | | | | research has also shown that vitamin C helps alleviate |
| chiropractic and massage therapy, botanicals, | | | | the symptoms. |
| homeopathy and nutrition. | | | | - Butterbur. This shrub grows perennially and can be |
| How Asthma Affects An Individual | | | | found almost everywhere. This shrub has been noted |
| When an 18-year-old student, for example, suddenly | | | | a can be quite effective. This contains ingredients |
| develops wheezing and shortness of breath upon | | | | called petasin and isopetasin which are believed to |
| visiting his or her uncle who happens to have a cat, | | | | help reduce muscle spasms and has potent anti |
| or a 30-year-old woman has colds that "always go | | | | inflammatory properties. .However, this particular herb |
| into her chest," which causes coughing and heavy | | | | should not be used by women who are either |
| breathing. | | | | pregnant, or by those who suffer from either liver or |
| The symptoms are all reflective of an asthma attack, | | | | kidney disease. |
| and these are but some of the many faces of | | | | - Boswellia. More commonly referred to as Salai |
| asthma. Asthma is a medical condition wherein there | | | | Guggal in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, this herb has |
| is chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes or | | | | been analyzed to aid in restricting the production of |
| airways, which causes swelling and narrowing of the | | | | leukotrienes in the body. Leukotrienes are the |
| airways. The result is difficulty breathing. The | | | | compounds, when released in to the lungs, will cause |
| bronchial narrowing could either be total, or at least | | | | the airways to become narrowed. |
| partially reversible with medications. | | | | Asthma is a worrisome health condition that affects |
| Alternative Treatments For Asthma | | | | people in different ways. Each individual is unique in |
| Most alternative or herbal remedies are often used | | | | their degree of reactivity to environmental triggers. |
| alone, while the complementary treatments are used | | | | This naturally influences the type and dose of |
| in tandem with the standard medications and | | | | medication prescribed, which may vary from one |
| treatments your doctor usually would prescribe. At | | | | individual to another. |
| present, there are lots of asthma herbal remedies | | | | Other alternative treatment modes also include Yoga. |
| and products available for use in treating the | | | | The breathing exercises utilized in yoga have been |
| symptoms that are associated with asthma. | | | | noted to help some asthmatics control breathing and |
| However, further research still need to be | | | | relieve stress, a common asthma trigger, although no |
| undertaken before anything clear can be established. | | | | scientific evidence has yet been given to supports |
| Asthma patients seeking an alternative herbal | | | | this. |